Microsoft Plans a Virtual Controller for Tablets and Smartphones

The talk about portable devices is only starting as it seems it will become the norm in a few years. Especially, since relevant studies show that tablets will outsell laptops. And we already know how popular and versatile smartphones have become. Since we’re taking technology everywhere we go, we start having the feeling that it should do for us exactly what we want. That’s why bold gaming projects appear. To transform technology according to our needs.

That’s how we started to believe a gaming console like Oyua can bring open source Android gaming to our TV and that’s how we believe in another product like GameDock for iOS. We believe that’s possible because we can see them in action, albeit they should be perceived as prototypes. But what happens when we see yet another bold patent? The distance between filing for a patent and seeing it inside a final product is huge, but somehow, this one makes sense, from the gaming point of view.

Why it makes sense

The patent discovered by PatentBolt shows that Microsoft might be interested in developing virtual controllers for tablets and smartphones. A while ago, it didn’t quite make sense why would Microsoft need such a piece of technology, but with the announcement of their Surface tablet, suddenly, things take a new perspective. We don’t know for sure if Windows Phone will survive in its battle against Android and iOS, but if Surface becomes a real product, then it will lure in lots of buyers.

Rumours about Xbox gaming coming to Windows 8 device have been circulating for almost an year. Xbox-like virtual controllers on a possible Surface tablet will be another major reason to buy it. Virtual controllers for smartphones and tablets seem like a good idea from the usability aspect, too. It won’t ruin the design of your smartphone/tablet and people won’t even suspect you’ve got something like that inside your gizmo.

PatentBolt explains how it would work:

Microsoft states that the virtual controller input parameters may include a direction, velocity, and/or relative magnitude corresponding to the movements of thumb. As a result, in some embodiments, one or more control icons may provide a visual indication to the user of the positioning of the control, which is updated as the user moves his or her digit. Additionally, one or more control icons may represent one or more virtual controllers and/or one or more ancillary controllers that may allow the user to control different aspects of the game. Control icons may each be one or more of a virtual joystick, a button, a D-pad button, a slider, and any other feature that may be actuated to control an aspect of the game.

A smartphone or tablet with such a functionality shouldn’t be viewed as a rival to PlayStation or Nintendo, it’s just not powerful enough to compete with them. But with will be a luring factor, nonetheless. As we’ve mentioned it so many times, casual gaming is becoming more popular and it won’t kill gaming consoles, but it will surely get many adopters. And if Microsoft wants to stay ahead the superhero Apple, then they better launch the Surface tablet with a killer feature like this one!